Starmer can turn Reform’s rise to his advantage

Last year's general election was a referendum on the Tories ’ record in office, a referendum it emphatically lost.

Reform benefited from having no record in government; the Liberal Democrats ’.

record has now been forgotten or forgiven.

But, paradoxically, the changing alignment of British politics may yet work in favour of the incumbent party.

In other words, Starmer should be prepared to take on Reform aggressively, even if it risks antagonising some Labour voters who have a soft spot for Farage. Last year , the overwhelmingly anti-Tory mood, plus tactical voting, was a formula for Labour success. Next time the formula might still involve tactical voting, but with a focus on keeping out Reform instead. A general election which is a referendum on Reform , rather than the record of the incumbent government, is one Labour should be able to win..